Georgia Public Library Service news, Vol. 9, no. 4 (Feb. 2012 )

A newsletter for friends and employees of Georgia's public libraries

volume 9, issue 4 I February 2012

Donna Howell Travis Hatfield

Statistics show libraries becoming round-the-clock service providers

"With nearly 35 million patron
visits, Georgia's public library use remained strong and vital in 2011," said State Librarian Dr. Lamar Veatch. "With most facilities now offering wireless Internet access, many of our libraries have become round-the-clock service providers."
The reported number of publicaccess computer sessions at Georgia libraries this year topped 13.3 million, a number that does not take into account the dramatic increase in the use of wireless devices. Library

visitors are using laptops, smart phones and tablet computers such as iPads in growing numbers, but few libraries are able to count their number of wireless sessions, even as those sessions bring bandwidth use to critically high levels and noticeably slower Internet traffic at many facilities.
"As in years past, we only have the ability to count sessions in which patrons physically used a libraryowned computer, so 13.3 million is a
See Libraries, page 2

Thanks to the Fannin County Public Library's wireless service, Collin Owen (left) and Tyler Moore were able to access the Internet for information during a local festival in Blue Ridge after the library had closed for the day.

Tailgates, tanlines & libraries!
Lee County Commission Chairman Ed Duffy (left) and Lee County Public Library user Chase Geeslin (right) present country singer Luke Bryan with an honorary PINES card at the annual Leesburg Christmas Parade on Dec. 3. Bryan, a native of Leesburg who thus far has nine Billboard Top 40 hits to his credit, served as grand marshal of the parade.

Library construction projects absent from submitted budget
A day following his State of the State Address to the
Georgia General Assembly on Jan. 10, Gov. Nathan Deal formally submitted his recommendations for the Amended Fiscal Year 2012 and Fiscal Year 2013 budgets. The former includes a bump of $225 million from the original FY 2012 budget for a total authorization just shy of $18.6 billion. Deal's proposed FY 2013 budget includes expenditures of approximately $19.2 billion.
Georgia's public libraries, however, will again feel the state's overall economic pinch in the coming year, with an additional $644,965 cut for personnel and operating expenses. The governor did, however, recommend a $394,218 increase in the formula for library grants, based on an increase in state population.
Once upward adjustments in the employer share of the Teachers Retirement System and the employer share of health insurance are included, the state's total reduction in funding for libraries drops to less than $60,000. The governor
See Budget, page 4

Libraries

Continued from page 1
significant understatement in how much libraries are being used," explained Julie Walker, deputy state librarian. "Many facilities have long since reached a saturation point, at which every computer is used every day, every hour, from opening to closing. For them, traditional computer use session numbers cannot increase, but wireless access has increased dramatically."

According to

Diana Very,

director of LSTA,

statistics and

research for

GPLS, 32 of the

state's library

systems reported

more than 1.1

Very

million wireless

connections in

2011 -- the first year libraries were

asked to report this figure. "And

that number is certain to go up as

these and other libraries become

better able to determine how to

count the wireless hits to their

systems," Very said.

"About 20 percent of our total wireless use is outside our operating hours," said Donna Howell, director of the Mountain Regional Library System in Young Harris. "We get thank-you notes and occasionally even checks from people who have checked e-mail, completed job applications and even taken classes wirelessly in our parking lot!"

Anne Grace, director of the Elbert County Library, says the same is true for her system. "It is not uncommon to see cars parked around the library after hours using our Wi-Fi service, especially since the local high school has provided students with netbooks," she said.

"Whether we are open or not, we continue to attract people who depend on the services we provide."
For libraries to better provide Grace the Internet access that builds digital literacy and workforce development skills, however, expanding bandwidth is critical. Although 100 percent of Georgia's libraries provide highspeed Internet access, 78 percent of them fall short of the fourmegabytes-per-second transfer rate that the Federal Communications Commission uses to define broadband.
"Even after completing a second- and third-quarter upgrade in 2011, 70 percent of our libraries still experience network saturation on a daily basis," explained Emily Almond, director of information technology for GPLS. "Libraries in Chatham, Clarke, Coffee, Floyd, Hall, Laurens and Troup counties still hit 100 percent of bandwidth almost daily."
The American Library Association's 2011 The State of America's Libraries survey indicated 34 percent of Americans have no broadband at home and 21 percent have no home Internet access at all. Meanwhile, 71 percent of libraries reported that they are the only source of free access to computers and the Internet in their communities.
The most recent Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study states that 70 percent of libraries reported increased use of public access workstations and 75 percent

reported an increase in use of Wi-Fi last year. Sixty-seven percent of libraries reported staff members regularly helped patrons complete online job applications in the past year.
Still, only 13 percent of the nation's public libraries plan to increase broadband speed and capability in the forthcoming year. Almond notes that in Georgia it is the cost, not availability, of higherspeed bandwidth that is proving the primary constraint to improving broadband access. Overall funding for Georgia's libraries was down $6.2 million in 2011.
Unfortunately, the same budget woes that prevent Georgia libraries from meeting the demand for round-the-clock Internet access are also the culprit in causing those libraries to further reduce their open hours, creating a vicious circle of supply and demand for all library services.
According to figures compiled from recently completed annual reports for the state's 61 public library systems, Georgia libraries were open 23,776 fewer hours this past year than in 2010 -- and 48,205 fewer hours than in 2009. And although patron visits were down for the year, they still show a cumulative increase of nearly 10 percent since 2006 -- the last year before the current economic crunch began.
The number of reference questions answered by Georgia librarians increased nearly 10 percent, from 9.5 million to nearly 10.1 million, this year alone. Attendance at children's programs also increased 9.4 percent this year, topping 1.56 million.
See Libraries, page 5

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Georgia Public Library Service News February 2012

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

State ParkPass program renewed for fifth year

Thanks to the overwhelming support it has received since
its introduction in June 2008, the Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites ParkPass program has been renewed for a fifth year.

A joint initiative of Georgia Public Library Service and the Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division (PRHSD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the popular program enables Georgia's public libraries to make it easy for their patrons to enjoy the great outdoors.

Staff members are always on hand to help all ages as they cast a line at the Go Fish Education Center's fishing pond.
Go Fish Education Center partnership program brings family passes to your library
Once again, Georgia's public libraries are making it
easier than ever for patrons to explore and learn about the state's outdoor attractions.
Building on Georgia Public Library Service's relationship with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the popular State Park ParkPass program, public libraries across the state will begin loaning family passes for the Go Fish Education Center in Perry this month. A kickoff event is scheduled to take place at the center on Feb. 10.
The pass, when presented with a valid library card, will be good for free admission to the Center for as many as six family members -- a potential savings of up to $30. The center is located just off I-75 Exit 134, near the state fairgrounds in Houston County.
According to Jeremy Wixson, the center's manager, the Go Fish Education Center gives visitors a fun and interactive look at Georgia's diverse aquatic wildlife and natural habitats. Among the facility's most popular attractions are its freshwater aquariums featuring trout, largemouth bass and more; interactive fishing, boating and shooting simulators; a stocked pond for fishing; and underwater habitats from mountain streams to blackwater swamps that feature live alligators and other wildlife.
See Fish, page 5

With a valid library card from a participating library system (including PINES), patrons can borrow a Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites folder from their local libraries and participate in outdoor events and programs to get more fit. The folders include an annual ParkPass that exempts visitors from paying the daily parking fee at state parks; an annual Historic Site pass good for free admission for up to four visitors to any of Georgia's 15 state historic sites; and a copy of the annual Guide to Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites featuring descriptions, photos, directions and a map of all locations.
Georgia public libraries loaned the ParkPass kits more than 13,000 times in 2011.
"The program definitely has proved to be a great way to bring people into our parks," said Sally Winchester, marketing and communications manager for PRHSD. "We hope that once people visit the parks, they'll want to come back, explore other parks in the system, and buy an Annual Park Pass or join the Friends of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites. We have beautiful venues and great opportunities for healthy outdoor recreation."
This year, with funding from the Department of Public Health, Georgia State Parks launched the "Tons of Fun Fitness Challenge," which libraries are helping to promote. "Our goal is to encourage better lifestyle choices about outdoor exercise and healthy eating," Winchester said, "and the focus of this program is on making nutrition and exercise fun -- and literally a walk in the park!"
PRHSD manages a total of 63 properties that preserve the state's environment and history. Included are 45 state parks, three state historic parks and 15 historic sites, stretching from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Colonial Coast. To see a full list of parks and historic sites covered by the passes, visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org. I
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February 2012 Georgia Public Library Service News

Staff

Newton's Porter Memorial Branch awarded LEED Gold certification
The Newton County Public Library System's Porter Memorial Branch was officially awarded LEED Gold certification at a ceremony in Covington on Dec. 14. LEED, short for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the U.S. Green Building Council's program for the design, construction and operation of high-performance, sustainable buildings.

Fewer than two dozen buildings in Georgia have achieved LEED Gold certification, and Porter Memorial becomes only the second library in the state to do so, joining the Gwinnett County Public Library's Hamilton Mill Branch.

"In many ways, Porter Memorial represents the past, present and future for Newton County," said Library Director Lace Keaton. "One of the county's goals for the Porter branch was to set an example for the environmentally conscious design of future buildings throughout the state. In addition to offering state-of-the-art library services, the building itself can actually be used as a teaching tool for sustainable design, renewability and the role architecture can play in preserving our environment."
The 19,200-square-foot library features an abundance of natural lighting to reduce power usage, a raised floor to efficiently regulate temperatures and provide flexible infrastructure, a landscape of indigenous plants that eliminates the need for irrigation, and a rainwater-collection system that further reduces water usage.
The facility was designed by Craig Gaulden Davis of Greenville, S.C., and constructed by Hogan Construction Group of Norcross. I

Among those taking part in the LEED Gold certification ceremony at the Porter Memorial Library on Dec. 14, are (front row, from left) Kathy Morgan, chair, Newton Commission; Dr. Lois Upham, chair, Newton County Library System (NCLS) board of trustees; Lace Keaton, NCLS director; Stuart Stenger, architect, Craig Gaulden Davis; and Brenda Poku, branch manager. Second row (from left) are Dr. Steve Whatley, vice chair, NCLS board of trustees; Mellie Davis, secretary, NCLS board of trustees; John Middleton, Newton County manager; Ezell Brown, Newton County sheriff; George Clackum, vice president, Hogan Construction Group (HCG); and Lainer Sims, Newton County commissioner. Top row (from left) are Tamara Richardson, library system board member; Hosanna Fletcher, executive administrative coordinator, Newton County Commission; Bob Halcums, assistant director for public services, NCLS; Scott McGee, project superintendent, HCG; Charlie Wilson, director of business development, HCG; and Lisa Tatum, senior project manager, HCG.

Budget

Continued from page 1 did not recommend funding of any library-related design and construction projects for FY 2013.
"The governor recognizes the great value of public libraries, but minor cuts were anticipated," said State Librarian Dr. Lamar Veatch. "With service demands and library use increasing, any reductions will certainly be challenging for public libraries to absorb."

Veatch noted that the possibility exists that the General Assembly will restore some library funding or library-related construction projects.
"As members of the House and Senate work through and modify the governor's outline, we may see some positive developments," he said. "If not, many library systems will need to seek additional local funding or be forced to further reduce services to their communities and citizens

who are depending on them more than ever."
Due to decreases in funding, Georgia libraries were open 23,776 fewer hours this past year than in 2010, which saw a similar 3 percent reduction in library hours from 2009. Patron visits still show a cumulative increase, however, of 9.23 percent since 2006 -- the year before the state's current economic crunch began. I

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Georgia Public Library Service News February 2012

Libraries
Continued from page 2
Circulation of materials dipped slightly between 2010 and 2011, from 47.1 million to 45.7 million. The 3 percent drop correlates to the 3 percent reduction in hours that libraries were open during the year, but current circulation figures do not include a full accounting of loans of electronic books, which have increased significantly among those systems that track the data. Twentyseven Georgia library systems currently participate in a consortium to provide e-Books, audiobooks and other digital content. As of January, the consortium's purchased e-Book collection includes 7,412 copies representing 5,657 titles. Library patrons borrowed a book from this collection 95,789 times in FY2011,

an increase of 49 percent.
A recent national Harris Poll from Harris Interactive reveals that 68 percent of Americans now have a library card. This is the greatest number of Americans with library cards since the American Library Association began measuring library card usage 20 years ago. Georgia's story is similar, with PINES (Public Information Network for Electronic Services) alone topping 2.6 million library cards in use during FY2011 and 2.9 million as this issue went to press.
"Another useful statistic, which we tracked for the first time this year, is the number of individual hits to library websites," Very explained. "Forty-three of Georgia's library

systems reported a total of 21,153,356 hits to their websites -- an average of almost half a million hits per system. Although library visits and circulations decreased slightly this year, these figures are a strong indicator that library use is as strong as ever, but the ways in which people are using the library are changing faster than our ability to accurately track that use."
Numbers referenced in this article come from the annual reports of Georgia's 61 public library systems, as reported to Georgia Public Library Service and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the federal agency that compiles and publishes annual statistics for public libraries nationwide. I

Staff

Fish
Continued from page 3 "Visitors can also get our tried-and-tested `Reel Tips'
on how, where and when to fish in Georgia," Wixson said.

The Go Fish Education Center is currently open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Through the week, it is reserved for educational outreach programs that include on-site classes for students and conservationcentered public educational workshops and seminars.

"We're pleased to be joining forces once again with our friends at Georgia DNR to provide Georgia's citizens with another fun, exciting and educational opportunity like this," said State Librarian Dr. Lamar Veatch. "For those who live nearby and for those who are traveling in or through the area, the Go Fish Education Center provides a top-notch travel experience. This partnership is a great complement to our State Park ParkPass program."

Because of the Go Fish pass program's expected popularity, families interested in borrowing a pass from their local public libraries are advised to plan early, as supplies of the passes are limited.
For additional information, including directions to the center and opening hours for the day of your visit, please visit www.gofisheducationcenter.com. I

Regal retirees
Following long and distinguished careers with Georgia's public libraries, Jim Cooper (left) and Susan Cooley retired in December. Cooper served as director of the Carrollton-based West Georgia Regional Library since January 1987. Cooley served as director of Sara Hightower Regional Library in Rome since September 1995.
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February 2012 Georgia Public Library Service News

NEWS IN BRIEF



GPLS will host the Loblolly Development Conference Feb. 7-9 in Atlanta. This gathering of more than 50 national leaders and experts will initiate the development of the next generation of software that is required to circulate recorded books, provide reading machines, and expand innovative services for state library agencies that serve users with print impairments.

The Conyers-

Rockdale Library

System board of

trustees named

Daryl Fletcher

director of the

system on Dec.

6. Previously

Fletcher

assistant director of technical

services, Fletcher has served as the

system's interim director since April.

Delana Hickman has been named as interim director at the Sara Hightower Regional Library System. She is librarian at the Northwest Georgia Talking Book Library in Rome.

Roni Tewksbury, assistant director/branch manager of the Neva

Lomason Memorial Library in Carrollton, has been named interim
director of the West Georgia Regional Library.

Honeycutt

Erin Honeycutt is the new children's and youth services librarian for the Lee County Library.

Tracy Walker, youth services

specialist at the Chestatee Regional

Library System in Dawsonville was

judged winner of a GPLS-sponsored

essay contest to

determine who

will serve as the

voting representa-

tive for Georgia

at the upcoming

Collaborative

Summer Library

Program Annual

Meeting in

Walker

Hershey, Pa.

Susan Whittle, Southwest Georgia Regional Library System director and subregional librarian for

Staff

the Southwest Georgia Library for Accessible Services, has been selected to serve on the Public Education Advisory Group of the National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. I
Gifts of history
During the December Public Library Directors Meeting, held at the National Archives in Morrow, Archives Regional Administrator James McSweeney (right) presented Sandra Deal, first lady of Georgia, with a framed copy of her grandfather's World War I draft registration card and a copy of the book Your Land, Our Land: Two Centuries of American Words and Images From the Regions of the National Archives. McSweeney and Deal were both speakers at the meeting.

Georgia Library Day scheduled for Feb. 15 at state Capitol

On Wednesday, Feb. 15, the Georgia Library Association,
the Georgia Association for Instructional Technology, the Georgia Library Media Association and GPLS will sponsor Georgia Library Day with the state Legislature.
"We want to demonstrate to legislators the value of all types of libraries and the impact they have on the lives of Georgians," said Georgia Library Association President Elizabeth Bagley. "We need to maintain GALILEO and PINES, the nationally recognized and award-winning programs that share resources efficiently; are used by Georgians of all ages; and that counteract the digital divide in tough economic times."
"This free event provides a great opportunity for friends and supporters to lend their voices to our efforts

to communicate with legislators about the need for their support of the state's libraries," said State Librarian Dr. Lamar Veatch.
Georgia Library Day will begin at 9:00 a.m. in Room 216 of the state Capitol, where library leaders will provide a short briefing, distribute information sheets and answer attendees' questions. The room will remain open and staffed until 10:30 a.m. Light refreshments, "I Love My Library!" stickers and the annual Georgia Library Day print will be available while supplies last. Attendees are encouraged to schedule meetings with their elected officials at convenient times throughout the day. To help plan for handouts and beverages, all attendees should RSVP to Bagley by Friday, Feb. 10 at ebagley@agnesscott.edu. I

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Georgia Public Library Service News February 2012

Staff

DeKalb wins ALA programming grant

Two of the popular trees displayed by the Rockmart Library in December
Rockmart Library helps brighten holiday season
In December the Sara Hightower
Regional Library System's Rockmart Library participated in the local police department fundraiser, "Christmas is for Kids," by auctioning Christmas trees, with all funds going directly to the charity. This is the first year the library has participated, and according to Branch Manager Ann Wheeler, "We would like to do this yearly."
Eight trees were decorated and donated by library patrons, then put on display in the library's meeting room. Patrons then placed silent bids on their trees of choice. One tree sported a "Star Wars" motif; another twinkled a patriotic red, white and blue. One tree, decorated and donated by a special needs class from Hiram Elementary, delicately held glass ornaments given a drip of paint and sparkles to the inside. Wheeler said every tree was sold, and interest in the project continued well after the event had ended.
She praised the success of the auction and the library patrons who made it possible. "It was great to be a part of something to help out with the kids and toys," she said. I

DeKalb County Public Library is one of only 30 library systems in the country, and the only one in Georgia, to win a prestigious American Library Association (ALA) "Building Common Ground" program grant. The announcement was made in December.
The purpose of the "Building Common Ground" initiative is to encourage programs that discuss and contemplate the importance of community, civility and compassion in daily life. The DeKalb system will use its $2,500 grant to fund programs focusing on the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area at its Stonecrest Library in Lithonia, which is located in the preserve.
According to Kitty Wilson, branch operations coordinator and coordinator for the "Building Common Ground" programs, the

library will partner with the Arabia

Mountain Heritage Alliance and

students at Arabia Mountain High

School to offer the programs that

will be held this

fall as well as an

exhibit that will

focus on the

area's history,

people and

cultural

diversity."One of

our major goals

Wilson

will be to increase aware-

ness about this important, diverse

and changing area," Wilson said.

The "Building Common Ground" program is jointly sponsored by ALA and the Fetzer Institute, a Michigan-based philanthropic organization that focuses on the study and promotion of love and forgiveness. I

AFPLS introduces eCampus learning suite

The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library
System (AFPLS) has introduced eCampus, a new online learning suite of tutoring, test preparation and educational resources for all ages. It is free to the public and accessible with an AFPLS library card. Each of the system's libraries has a new collection of books and materials to supplement the lifelong learning opportunity.
Included are programs to assist with the following:
I Live online one-on-one tutoring sessions and homework help in academic subjects, basic learning skills and GED preparation.
I Video review and preparation for standardized tests.
I Preparation assistance for naturalization and citizenship tests.

I Career exploration and employment search and assistance.
I Databases offering unlimited access to test preparation for college and technical school, plus informative career information.
I Continuing education classes for adults, including CEU-granting, self-paced classes with real instructors in subjects related to skills, jobs or personal growth in more than 500 courses.
Online databases include Skills Tutor; Tutor.com; ePrep; Universal Class; Testing & Education Reference Center; Ed2Go; LearningExpress; Career Transitions; and American Book Company Online Testing. Spanish and English as a Second Language resources are also available online and in the libraries. I

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February 2012 Georgia Public Library Service News

Staff

CONTACT US

Georgia Public Library Service 1800 Century Place, Suite 150 Atlanta, GA 30345-4304 404.235.7200 404.235.7201 fax www.georgialibraries.org

Lamar Veatch, state librarian

David Baker, editor

Georgia Public Library Service News (ISSN 1546-511X) is published bimonthly by the Georgia Public Library Service, the state agency that supports public libraries and works with them to improve the quality and variety of library services available to Georgia citizens of all ages.
This publication is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Georgia Public Library Service under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.
Information presented in this newsletter will be provided in alternative formats on request. For more information about Georgia's libraries and literary events, or to post an event, visit our online calendar at www.georgialibraries.org

Capitol assessment
Friends of Georgia Libraries and Piedmont Regional Library System (PRLS) board of trustees chair Kathy Ash (left) and PRLS Director Beth Harden McIntyre visit with (from left) Rep. Tommy Benton (R-Jefferson) and McIntyre's parents, Linda and Rep. Buddy Harden (R-Cordele). The impromptu meeting took place during the Georgia Council of Public Libraries' Hot Dog Day at the state Capitol, an annual advocacy event that was held on Jan. 26.

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